Today, they announced a free plugin that works with almost all NLE’s (non-linear editors, for those of you who don’t do video). And, that plugin includes lots of free effects to be used in your work, along with a quick tutorial on how to use them (the transitions aren’t applied as you may be used to – they use track mattes and such – easy though). There’re also some effects using my favorite “toy” – blending modes.

I don’t recommend using all of these as they’re created – but they’re cool enough that you can. But, you can also make them your own, amending their contents to your preferences.

The terrific Photo Editing App and Photoshop plugin is now available for Windows OPEN Beta test!

Luminar is a powerful all-in-one photo editor with over 300 tools on hand designed to tackle anyone’s photography needs, from correcting challenging image problems to artful stylizing. Users can adapt their workspace to match their image processing experience, and move up to more advanced modes as they learn. Luminar works non-destructively and aims to take the “work” out of a photo editing “workflow” for photographers worldwide.

Luminar for Mac was released in November 2016, with the latest update on July 15, 2017.
In April, only 5 months after its launch, Luminar for Mac won the prestigious TIPA award for Best Imaging Software 2017. For more details about full featured Mac version visit macphun.com/luminar . Experience the public beta of Luminar for Windows today at macphun.com/pc .

Why did we make Luminar?

Today, there are more choices of cameras than ever before, and more ways to enjoy photos. Luminar comes at a time when current software tools are simply not keeping up with the versatility to satisfy the needs of everyone, or they are evolving to be too complicated to learn and use.

As a result, Macphun has invented a new scalable, adaptive user interface and mated it to a set of tools that truly provides ease of editing photos on your PC across the entire span of customers, from beginners to pros.

Newbie photographers who don’t often use their PC for editing will appreciate a simple approach using one-click presets.

Casual photographers mastering their first digital cameras may start with those same presets, but will soon “graduate” to using Luminar’s uniquely tailored tools which achieve great results quickly.

For passionate enthusiasts and professionals, the full gamut of editing tools such as brushes, layers, editing history menu and much more herald a new generation of advanced photo editing possibilities.

The NIK Photoshop plugin collection’s been a staple in my system for many years. It’s sharpening algorithm, it’s controls have always had a strong place along with all my other plugins, and I’ve made great use of it throughout the years.

A few years ago, Google bought it, and made it FREE! That was great, and they even updated the software a few times. But, on the Mac, they stopped updating past OSX 10.10 Yosemite, on Windows, they stopped updating past Windows 8, and for Photoshop, their last compatible version is with Photoshop 2015.

THANKS GOOGLE, for buying something, ensuring it’s not profitable for you, and leaving us in the lurch…

OR DID THEY? Thank goodness for One1. They’re releasing the version Photo Raw 2017.5 in just a few days. MacPhun is not only excellent on the Mac, but they’re finishing up their first BETA of their Luminar and Aurora HDR software for Windows machine. Both of these have options very much like those offered in NIK, and they’re committed to continuing their development for years to come!

By the way – my FAVORITE software for Up-Rezzing images (when necessary) used to be Genuine Fractals – which is now On1 Perfect Resize – part of their Photo Raw software!

To check these apps out – take a look here:On1 Photo RAW– and check out their On1 software, and On1PLUS – an amazing and unique training center for the use of On1 software

MacPhun Software– and check out their current deal with Plotagraph Pro! Don’t forget to use coupon code SGANS_DISC on checkout, if you choose to buy the software.

‘Tis the Season… of Giving! The wait is almost over for the official release of ON1 Photo RAW 2017, the best new raw processor and photo editor coming December 19th! They’ve teamed up with some of the best in the industry to give away over $420 worth of photography content and training – yours absolutely FREE!

Sign up for update emails, and each day your email will list a new FREEBIE from On1 – starting today!

MacPhun has released their new photo editing product – LUMINAR. If you want to explore a new way to start editing your images – with some really excellent presets to start, or do your own. Layers, filters…. with an unequalled ease of use – check out a FREE Trial at:http://macphun.evyy.net/c/321616/320119/3255

For those who are seeking an alternative digital photography workflow, or an adjunct to their usual Lightroom/Photoshop workflow – NEW! ON1 Photo RAW is going to be the option for you. RAW won’t be available for release until November 23rd, but in the meantime, you can learn all about what the On1 Workflow can do for you – and now – for FREE (limited videos in free option). This is a great opportunity to see what options are available to you, and take a look into On1’s own training and information site. Please click the banner for more information on On1 PLUS!

On1 has created an excellent video on the relative speed of processing a photo using their new (coming soon) Photo RAW software, vs their existing On1 Photo 10.5 (which I’ve been using, and loving). Check out the video here.